IMMERSED IN HIS PASSION FOR NATURE

Living Coast director says his work with animals has been ‘tremendously fun’

CHULA VISTA  Living Coast Discovery Center Executive Director Brian Joseph says he has never worked a day in his life, but those who know him say quite the opposite.

“He’s definitely a workaholic, there’s no doubt about it,” says his wife, Sally Joseph, who supervises animal care and training at the center. “He has to be working. I thought I had to keep up with him, but I gave up on that.”

The 62-year-old veterinarian not only directs the nonprofit Living Coast Discovery Center, but he also oversees veterinary care for all five SEA LIFE aquariums in the United States, he volunteers his time to train Chula Vista and National City police K-9 handlers in lifesaving skills for their dogs, and serves in the U.S. Army Reserve Veterinary Corps.

He also consults with various zoos and marine life parks to help architects design the best environment for marine mammals in captivity.

The Josephs have taken one vacation in their 16-year marriage, Sally said.

But even though he can’t sit still for long, Joseph’s demeanor does not seem like that of a workaholic. He is an animal lover, an environmentalist and an educator at heart.

And he exudes his passion, which just happens to make him good at developing relationships with donors. But he would never admit that.

Instead, he shares a long list of places he has worked, which range from Sea World and the San Diego Zoo to the Bahamas, only to further make his point that he’s never actually felt like he was working.

“Everything I’ve ever gotten to do is just tremendously fun,” he said. “The nice thing about animal work is that no two days are ever the same.”

He talks about his animals the way he discusses people, with personalities and feelings and even the power of persuasion.

It was a military working dog, in fact, who recruited Joseph for the Army Reserves. At least, that’s how the vet tells it.

Ringo, a Belgian Malinois, had completed two tours of duty in Iraq when Joseph met him in 2007 at a veterinarians’ conference in San Diego. Ringo was recruiting for the Army Reserve Veterinary Corps. Joseph applied to join the Veterinary Corps, and when he was told that he was far too old, he fought for an age waiver, eventually becoming the oldest veterinarian ever recruited to the U.S. Army. He was 57 when he went to basic training.

That’s the other thing about Joseph, his wife said. He doesn’t take “no” for an answer.

“I want to live life really full, and be able to look back and say I’ve done everything I could,” Joseph explained.

He takes seriously the responsibility to mentor young people and spark their curiosity about nature, the outdoors and marine life.

And that he does well, say those who work with him.

“He brings that credibility and knowledge of not only all the animals, but the whole zoological experience that customers come here for,” said Ben Vallejos, chief operating officer for the Living Coast Discovery Center. “He understands not just how to take care of the animals, but how to deliver what the customers want.”